 Darby Allin def. Clark ConnorsConnors has appeared on AEW TV before (including at the first Forbidden Door event all the way back in 2022), but this was basically a tryout for him now that he's gone from New Japan Pro-Wrestling and is a free agent. Or at least he was a free agent as I assume he's since been signed. He had a solid showing here in what was an enjoyable opener with Allin. Gabe Kid resuming his rivalry with Allin doesn't do much for me, though.
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 Liv Morgan Won the 30-Woman Royal Rumble MatchThis women's Rumble was very much a mixed bag. I appreciated all of the NXT representation, and there definitely some stories told, but it was also all over the place and had plenty of dead spots. Bianca Belair and AJ Lee not returning was certainly surprising, but I'd rather they wait to kick off the Becky Lynch vs. Lee rivalry until closer to WrestleMania 42, and Belair must not be cleared yet, unfortunately. That said, if Belair was in it, she would've had to win, so I'm glad this was all about Morgan, who has been in every single women's Rumble to date and had yet to win one until now. That was the correct outcome. The final stretch or so was well done and Sol Ruca being in there right before the finish was an encouraging sign for her future on the main roster.
 Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, World Tag Team Champion Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and The Vision Interrupted Each OtherThis was your standing WWE opening segment where it was basically a revolving door of promos. It's the laziest kind of segment, but I understand it existed to set up the massive eight-man tag team main event. Everyone's mic work was solid albeit nothing terribly special, though Orton declaring himself for the men's Royal Rumble was notable (yet expected).
 Alisha Edwards Refused to Join The SystemThis was The System's grand explanation for exiling Moose and betraying JDC. I don't believe we heard from Bear Bronson, so he felt like an afterthought here. It was a solid segment to establish this new version of the group. Alisha said her contract is coming up and she isn't willing to join them, so we'll see if that's legitimate or if it turns out to be a ruse (didn't they do something similar when Eddie was in Honor No More?).
 ROH Women's World Champion Athena def. Vertvixen in an ROH Women's World Championship Proving Ground MatchThese Proving Ground matches rarely serve a purpose, but they're especially stupid for Athena, who we know is not going to lose to a random enhancement talent (all due respect to Vertvixen, who has had plenty of matches in AEW and Ring of Honor but always loses). It's just an excuse to get her in action. I have no idea why this lasted as long as it did. Hyan and Maya World making the save for Vertvixen afterward set up what we got from them later on.
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